Courts Division
Overview
The Courts Division is responsible for maintaining order in the court rooms of the 3rd Circuit Court (Civil & Criminal Divisions) and Wayne County Probate Court. This division has court transfer responsibilities, which involves taking prisoners from the Jail Divisions to the courts.
In addition to its responsibilities inside the courtrooms, the Sheriff’s Office is now responsible for building perimeter and entry security at the two main county court buildings, the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice and the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The Courts Division also includes the Friend of the Court Enforcement Unit, Civil Process Unit and Deed Fraud Task Force.
The Jails and Courts Division are under the command of Chief Jeriel Heard and Deputy Chief Kevin Losen.
Friend of the Court Enforcement Unit
The non payment of child support is a tremendous community concern because it results in children going without basic necessities, which can lead to an array of problems for the child. The Felony and Civil Friend of the Court Unit was created in early 2003 to identify and apprehend the very worst offenders among Wayne County’s 28,000 men and women who owe a collective $3.7 billion in back child support. For these individuals, the Wayne County Prosecutor is issuing felony warrants, as opposed to civil warrants and a team of sheriff’s deputies has been assigned to arrest them. The maximum penalty for a felony conviction for non-payment of child support is four years in prison.
In order for a person to be charged with a felony for non-payment of child support, their case must meet the following criteria:
- Must owe a significant amount in back child support
- Has been identified as having the ability to pay, but refuses to
- The ex-spouse must be willing to press charges against them
Who to Call:
Civil Process Unit
The Office of the Sheriff, by statute must maintain a civil unit. The unit is responsible for service of:
- Civil Complaints (necessary in order to commence any civil court action)
- Order of Evictions - Tenant removal (3rd Circuit Court cases only)
- Executions (seizure of personal property to satisfy a money claim)
- Arrest Warrant service (civil & felony) for non payment of child support
- Judicial Seizure and Sales
- Claim & Deliver orders of property based on court order
- Personal Protection Order Service
The unit is also responsible for the weekly mortgage foreclosure auctions. These auctions are open to the public and are held every Wednesday and Thursday at 1:00 PM in Courtroom 1607 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (room subject to change), located at 2 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit.
For more information on any Sheriff’s Civil Process services, please call 313-224-2260
Deed Fraud Task Force
One of Wayne County’s fastest growing crimes in recent years has been deed fraud. Every year many people have the deeds to their home quietly stolen from beneath them by scam artists who file forged or fraudulent documents. To address the issue, the Wayne County Sheriff, Register of Deeds and Prosecutor have formed a Deed Fraud Task Force to investigate these matters.
You can protect yourself by checking your own property’s records at www.waynecountylandrecords.com
If you or someone you know may have been the victim of deed fraud, or have questions about how to protect yourself, please call (313) 224-5869
Online Complaint Form
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